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A NEWLY qualified veterinary surgeon who admitted stealing controlled drugs from three practices where he worked as a locum was found guilty of disgraceful professional conduct by the rcvs Disciplinary Committee at a hearing on February 1.
The committee ordered the removal of Mr Michael McCarthy's name from the rcvs Register and urged him to continue the measures he has been taking to overcome his drugs and personal problems.
A 2005 graduate of Liverpool veterinary school, Mr McCarthy holds joint us and Irish citizenship. He admitted three charges relating to the theft and misuse of veterinary drugs while working for the pdsa in Plymouth and at practices in Hexham, Northumberland, and in Liverpool. A fourth charge concerned his obtaining quantities of the sedatives Hypnovel and Vetergesic without authority and for his own use from a veterinary wholesaler.
Mrs Nicole Curtis, counsel for the Royal College, said the first offence related to his actions between January 15 and 23, 2006, when he stole Vetergesic and midazolam (Hypnovel) from the controlled drug cabinet at the pdsa clinic in Plymouth.
Mrs Christine Hargreaves, an animal care assistant working a night shift at the surgery, witnessed Mr McCarthy, who was not on duty at the time, come down from the flat above the surgery and heard...